Collective Experiences
As a race, we experienced many of the same things we are facing today. On the other hand, most people alive today, myself included, don’t have previous firsthand experiences with the ongoing crises.
Previous humans did withstand a pandemic, two world wars, a great financial depression, and much more. The ones who came before them had their own struggles as well.
Similar but different
The crises may have the same appearances, but we are not the same humans who wandered the earth one hundred years ago. We have different technologies, sciences, and most importantly an information sharing infrastructure.
Are we repeating the cycles?
DNA connects us to previous generations.
Yes, their genetic information flows through us. However, we don’t have to operate on the information they left behind. We must learn to approach our past and history with a factual lens. We must test and challenge the information passed down to us.
Previous generations didn’t have access to as much information as we do. They didn’t have super digital libraries and search engines at their fingertips, and it is a privilege we must understand. Earlier generations relied on local news anchors, and those anchors were mouth pieces. It was much easier to manipulate countries, races, religions, etc.
Be kind to one another. We are all waking up from our manipulated realities. It can be a traumatic awakening.
Three Generations
Most of the world leaders and corporation owners belong to the baby boomer generation. They are managing the world and its resources. I refer to that generation as the old guards (I know, not so original). The guards are getting older and outdated.
The older generation is choosing to hold on to analog ways while hanging on to power a bit longer, attempting to leave a lasting mark.
Millennials and Gen Z make up much of the world population, and the world has a better chance if we have a smooth transition of power.
If we must learn anything from our collective history, it is important to find a way to break our previous cycles of conflict and aggression.
We must find a way to appreciate the old and their contributions, while understanding the new ways needed to meet the needs of today and usher in a better sustainable future.
